KEEP “PUSHING” IN PRAYER – Pastor Chris
Thursday, March 4, 2012.
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much (James 5:16).
When the Bible says there was no rain in the land of Israel according to the word of Elijah, it wasn’t that Elijah suddenly woke up and said, “There’ll be no rain in Israel for the next three and half years.” No, the Bible says he prayed earnestly. 1 Kings 18:42 shows how he prayed; it says Elijah “bowed deeply in prayer, his face between his knees” (MSG).
The Amplified Classic version of our theme verse aptly describes this kind of prayer: “…The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].” It says the prayer is earnest, and there’s a persistence about it. In other words, it’s a sustained kind of prayer that’s marked by a deep feeling of conviction.
This isn’t the kind of prayer you pray at the dining table or when you’re hurrying off to work. There’re certain times and situations where you don’t just speak the word and go away; you persist in prayer. You keep pushing. You may be saying the same thing, but you’re pushing.
Jesus did that too in the Garden of Gethsemane. He said the same things in prayer, and He prayed that way for an hour. It wasn’t a two-minute prayer. He persisted, because he understood the stakes of the moment. We’re in a similar moment today. The stakes are high. You’ve got to take your personal prayer life more seriously.
Always stir yourself and respond to the call and urgency of prayer from your spirit, declaring the Word and crushing the forces of darkness, in the spirit. It may look like nothing is changing, but you keep pushing. You might ask, “But when do I stop?” You stop when you “know that you know” in your spirit that it’s done! Glory to God! You’ll surely get the note of victory.
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PRAYER:
Blessed Father, thank you for the privilege and opportunity of prayer by which I exercise my authority in Christ, to activate and walk in the consciousness of the divine presence, and enforce your will in the earth. I’m an effective intercessor through the Word of faith and earnest, heartfelt, continued prayer. I declare that the nations and leaders of the world are under the divine influence of your mighty power, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
Colossians 4:2 AMPC Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer [life], being [both] alert and intent in [your praying] with thanksgiving.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING:
1-Year Bible Reading Plan:
Mark 10:32-52 & Numbers 14-15
2-Year Bible Reading Plan:
Matthew 20:1-16 & Exodus 13
